Both our vessel week features this week are replete with more than our usual issue of superlatives. In these days of rapidly and constantly improving vessels, those superlatives represent a big boast. I suspect, though, that they are not too excessive.
We present a very wide range of passenger vessels from inland waterways cruise ships to large high-speed catamaran Ro-Pax ferries. We have smaller 39-41 metre aluminium fast ferries, both catamaran and monohull, and a relatively fast FRP monohull. We even have a low emissions but otherwise conventional Ro-Pax.
It is an extensively representative range of vessel types, construction materials, vessels sizes, propulsion systems and even fuels. Most importantly, all appear to be safe, seaworthy, comfortable vessels that produce minimal nasty emissions and consume comparatively small amounts of fuel. Most are even aesthetically attractive.
This is the modern environment for passenger vessels that must appeal to passengers and operators as well as the "thought police" and ever more vigilant safety authorities.
These vessels, from a wide range of builders and designers, in terms of geographic location, size, experience and material and vessel type specialties, all seem to achieve what has been asked of them. I thus encourage you to visit Baird Maritime to learn all about the latest examples of all kinds of ferries, tourist and cruise vessels from all over the world.
– "The small boat, which had become damaged in a fire from which only the bare hull was saved, underwent an extensive overhaul."
– by Stefano Fermi, publisher of Italian work boat magazine Il Battelliere – Nautica Professionale and web magazine TuttoCrociere – Cybercruises.com
Remember to come back every day to see the latest news, opinion and vessel reviews!
Any news or views about the global maritime tourism, ferry and cruise industries? Send it through to editor@bairdmaritime.com ASAP (between now and November 12), so we can add it to this current edition of Passenger Vessel Week!
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